By developing creative design partnerships, our
portfolio - spanning public and private sectors exhibits an understanding of the people whose
lives will be affected. Above all NBRS seeks to

SYDNEY OFFICE:
Level 3, 4 Glen Street,
Milsons Point NSW 2061

design environments that will have positive life

+61 2 9922 2344

changing affect.

NOMINATED ARCHITECT:

Architecture is the cornerstone of NBRS global

Andrew Duffin

interdisciplinary design practice with expertise

NSW Reg. 5602

in Architecture, Heritage, Interiors, Urban
Planning, Landscape Architecture, ESD and
Research.
Since 1968, NBRS has developed a research
led international architecture practice based in
Sydney, Australia. NBRS is recognised for its
innovative, award-winning design excellence
and comprehensive expertise.

As a multi-disciplinary design practice, we
are able to work as one 360° Integrated
Studio, with expertise in across Education,
Heritage, Interior Design, Justice, Landscape
Architecture, Life & Culture and Wellness. Our
‘One Team’ approach allows the best possible
design outcome to be achieved, with seamless
collaboration between our range of service
studios throughout the design process. The
resulting designs are cohesive and considered
from all angles. This consolidation of
specialists also allows for increased efficiency
for the client in the management of the project
team.

The Education Studio is committed to
designing innovative spaces that nurture
learning. By conducting research in to current
and projected trends, NBRS have extensive
knowledge in catering for the evolving future of
junior, senior and tertiary education facilities.

Landscape Architecture is an amalgam of
art and science. As designers, Landscape
Architects are required to be careful
interpreters of the natural and cultural
conditions of a site. Our Landscape Studio
seeks to create attractive, meaningful, usable,
connected and equitable spaces that embody
sustainable design principles.

ARCHITECTURE
Our creative team of architects work to
produce award winning design solutions
for each unique site and condition. With a
commitment to cutting-edge design and a
uniquely client focused approach, we work
continually towards achieving an outstanding
aesthetic result that meets the functional
needs of the end-users. We are committed
to delivering innovative projects of all types
and scale which can only be achieved through
extensive client consultation, meeting the
project objectives, having sound technical
expertise and competent management.
Situated within a full-service firm, our team of
architects is able to work closely in creative
partnerships, considering all facets of a
project from its earliest stages.

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HERITAGE
Our Heritage Studio has specialist expertise in
providing conservation and heritage planning
advice, in addition to adaptive-reuse design.
We have experience in the identification
and management of built heritage items
of all types and periods and in design
documentation and project administration
of projects for both government and private
sectors.

INTERIOR DESIGN
Our Interior Design Studio is passionate about
achieving a seamless connection between
interior design and the whole architectural
concept. We deeply consider how interior
spaces are used and create innovative design
solutions. Our Interior services include space
planning, detailed fixture design and the
selection of furnishings.

JUSTICE
The Justice Studio is creating impactful, well
rounded design solution to improve the lives
of compromised people. With a wealth of
experience across correctional facilities and
other justice buildings, the NBRS seeks to
create responsive facilities that service all who
interact with these spaces.

LIFE & CULTURE
The Life & Culture Studio is a foundation
studio at NBRS. Passionate about human
centred design and creating spaces that
engage people for civic, religious, cultural and
recreational purposes.

WELLNESS
Through ongoing research and the
development of future focused wellness
spaces, the Wellness Studio continues to
create impactful designs for a range of clients
and communities.

The Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre
redevelopment will comprehensively
transform this 1959 swimming centre into
a state of the art aquatic leisure centre for a
wide cross-section of the local community,
whilst retaining its significant heritage
fabric. The project has been undertaken
in a creative partnership between our
Architecture, Heritage & Landscape Studios.
The redevelopment of the existing Ruth
Everuss Aquatic Centre will provide a
more attractive, flexible, cost effective and
practical centre for the community. The
rejuvenated Aquatic Centre will include
outdoor 50m & 25m lap pools to provide

for swimming carnivals, lap swimming,
springboard diving and waterpolo, an
interactive water play area and an extensive
surrounding concourse with spectator
grandstand.
The indoor facility will include a 25m lap
pool, family leisure pool and program pool.
Additional features include an attractive
kiosk, foyer & civic forecourt, modern
change rooms, a landscaped suncourt, an
air conditioned viewing area for indoor 25m
pool and a flexible space which can be used
for meetings, programs and in conjunction
with adjoining outdoor activities.

upgrade of the REAC has created significant
recreation areas for the benefit of the
users of the centres, be they family groups,
individuals or swimming club members.
The landscape design expresses strong
geometries and arrangements that give
respect to the existing heritage building
character and qualities.

The redevelopment of the existing church
site required a sensitive design approach to
compliment the existing buildings being a
Victorian manse, the Federation chapel with
the proposed new contemporary building
works.
The architecture for the new hall, offices,
meeting rooms and breakout areas
physically embraced the Federation Chapel.
The landscape design reflects a transition in
garden styles with careful plant selections
reminiscent of the architecture style.
The design was sympathetic to the
retention of significant site trees in order to
maintain privacy to the adjoining residential
properties. Additional boundary screen
plantings were provided to reinforce the

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existing. Street frontages were enhanced
with new street trees complimenting
existing planting.
The design required low maintenance plant
species and incorporated an irrigation
system with re-use of captured rain water.
A paved forecourt area provides a welcome
entrance and breakout space for the
congregation. Contemporary materials and
furniture selections compliment both the
new and old buildings.
Andrew Leuchars was the Landscape
Architect responsible for design,
documentation and supervision of the
landscape works.

The relocation of the Children’s Services
faculty to The Northern Sydney Institute at
St Leonard’s offers its students and staff
an innovative learning environment at the
forefront of tertiary education, particularly
early childhood education.
NBRSARCHITECTURE worked as a
collaborative multi-discipline team and
head design consultant as part of the
major $6.5m building refurbishment. The
overall design makes adaptive re-use of
the brutal 1960s building and associated
carpark previously occupied by the
engineering facility. Completed in January
2018, the ground floor was transformed to

a contemporary early childhood teaching
environment flowing out to a purpose
built and accessible Outdoor Learning
Environment for teaching staff, students,
and children.
The playground built over what was the
original staff carpark makes clever use of
level changes as integrated play elements,
while ensuring all spaces are inclusive and
accessible. Positioned in the heart of the
campus, the play space reflects a nature
and water play theme. Various interactive
play elements provide various levels of
play, discovery, risk, and challenge to
both develop children’s skills, while also

demonstrating real world experience to early
childhood students.
The landscape studio of NBRS managed
all external building consultants from
engineers, arborists to traffic consultants.
NBRS worked closely with quantity
surveyors engaged to bring the project in on
budget including extensive reconfiguration
of surrounding campus services and
facilities.

11

MURRAY ART MUSEUM ALBURY
A L BURY, NS W

“The design provides a
contemporary glass and
metal clad addition, while at
the same time respecting the
heritage character of the two
existing buildings.”
The project consists of the refurbishment
of the existing heritage-listed Art Gallery
building (circa 1910) and the adjacent
Burrows House building (circa 1870),
together with the provision of a new twostorey addition at the rear to accommodate

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major touring art exhibitions.
NBRSARCHITECTURE worked in close
collaboration with the staff and future users
of the Gallery to establish their detailed
requirements, and to create a facility that
the Albury community will embrace.
A large curved Foyer links the different
elements of the project together and
invites public access from both the main
street and QE2 Park. The design provides
a contemporary glass and metal clad
addition, while at the same time respecting
the heritage character of the two existing
buildings.
The addition includes large flexible spaces
for the exhibition of art, with adjustable

daylighting, controlled environmental
conditions and movable walls. The
permanent collection will be housed in
a series of smaller galleries within the
refurbished existing buildings. The finished
project incorporates a kinetic facade
system, light sculptures, and interpretive art
works, all designed to engage the public.
Other facilities include a Gallery Shop, a
Cafe/Restaurant with an outdoor Terrace,
a Youth Members’ room, two Workshops
for public participation and an extensive
Collection Store.

13

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
BL A X L A ND ROA D, NORT H RY DE

“A lush garden environment for
the enjoyment of the residents”

Located directly opposite the Top
Ryde Shopping Centre this mixed use
development accommodates ground floor
commercial premises and six storeys of
residential apartments. The prominent
corner site makes this development a
landmark and all units were pre-sold prior to
commencement of construction.
The landscape studio of
NBRSARCHITECTURE worked in
conjunction with Mosca Pserras Architects
to design and document landscape open

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space areas associate with ground floor
communal areas as well as private garden
areas. NBRS also documented to the
streetscape finishes (hardscape) and street
tree planting arrangements to meet the
Ryde City Council’s Public Domain master
plan and technical manual requirements.
The landscape design saught to create a
lush garden environment for the enjoyment
of the residents. A mix of native and exotic
species were used with an emphasis placed
on low maintenance requirements. This
design approached extended to private
garden areas and the use of synthetic
grass was promoted. The landscape
arrangements are patterned and their
geometric arrangement creates interest
when viewed from the apartments above.

NBRS provided assistance in co-ordinating
the integration of Public Art in landscape
areas.
The landscape studio was responsible for
providing advice during the installation of
works to ensure the intended design was
installed to the appropriate level of quality.

“a place that is inclusive
and participatory... a green
oasis within a vibrant, urban
community”
NBRSARCHITECTURE was engaged to work
with North Sydney Council to redevelop
Parraween Street Car Park into an activated
community space. The underground carpark
replaces an existing at street level carpark
with a new 3 storey basement car park for
155 car spaces and will feature number
plate recognition access control. The
development will provide a new mixed-use
facility including a community workspace
hub, multi-level basement parking, key

worker housing units, an early childhood
health centre with community room and a
café with outdoor dining fronting Parraween
Street and a new park.

in order to better integrate the park with its
surround, offer enhanced amenity, improved
pedestrian linkages and opportunity for
specific uses such as market days.

The design creates a place that is
inclusive and participatory, that supports
contemporary modes of living and work
and provides a green oasis within a vibrant,
urban community.

The design provides for the inclusive use
of the public open space that reflects
the diversity of users. Play equipment for
children, spaces for teenagers, community
tables and all age fitness equipment were
included in the design. Green roofs featured
in the design with areas dedicated to herb
and vegetable gardens for use by the
buildings residents. Green wall elements
link the community-focused park with the
residents’ communal roof space above.

The landscape design was tasked with
creating a public outdoor space for passive
recreation above the basement car park.
The NBRS team identified the opportunity
to extend the project brief and offer
enhancement to the Parraween streetscape

15

THE BAY, RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
ME A D OW B A NK , NS W

“A cohesive landscape design
that supports the built form and
responds to the context”
An urban renewal project at 3-13 Angas
Street, Meadowbank involving the
demolition of the existing warehouse
buildings to make way for a new
contemporary residential development.
Known as ‘The Bay’, this development
consists of 205 residential units.

supports the built form and responds to the
context.
The landscape works included garden, lawn
and paving areas and proposed canopy
trees. The landscape area will be across
basement car parking, in raised gardens,
with some provision for deep soil (natural
ground) areas. Public domain works include
street tree planting to Angas Street.

The NBRS Landscape Studio worked in
collaboration with Mosca Pserras Architects
to ensure a cohesive landscape design that

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09/01/2014
Date

preliminary
Description

AL
Chkd

Issue
Disclaimer
These plans are for Client use and/or Council Approval only.
Not intended for construction purpose unless specifically
noted. The contractor intending to use these documents shall
check and verify all works on site and report any discrepency
to the Landscape Architect prior to commencement. Failure to

The joy of landscape architecture is the
ability to create environments and create
experiences that improve the quality of
life.
As Principal of the NBRSARCHITECTURE Landscape
Studio, Andrew seeks to develop seamless relationships
between the design of natural and built environments.
The Studio is committed to expressing an understanding
of each site’s unique history and spirit through thoughtful
design solutions.
Andrew brings a wide breadth of expertise to the
sector having worked throughout Australia, as well as
internationally in China and Indonesia. With over 25
years of professional experience, he has contributed
to a number of award winning projects across a
range of development types. This includes schools
and universities, commercial buildings, hotels, urban
spaces, streetscapes, municipal parks and residential
developments.
A dedication to developing creative partnerships
underpins Andrew’s approach to leading projects. He
works collaboratively, and is skilled at listening, observing
and confidently interpreting a client’s aspirations. As an
integral part of the NBRS Board of Directors, Andrew
has developed successful working relationships with all
studios within our multi-disciplinary practice.
He is committed to delivering people centred and
sustainable environments that positively enhance
the quality of life for end users. At its best, landscape
architecture can create a sense of place which leads to
wider regenerative assets for a community.

Hurstville Presbyterian Church Seniors Living
Manors of Mosman Retirement Village
Bluehills Retirement Village
Glenhaven Retirement Village
Durham Green Retirement Village
ADHC across NSW including Barack Heights,
Batemans Bay, Bathurst and Penshurst
PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Landscape architecture is about creating
spatial environments that take users on a
journey of experience, environments that
provoke emotions and creating practical
environments where lasting memories are
formed.
Conor studied at Queensland University of Technology
in Brisbane where he undertook his Bachelor of Design,
majoring in Landscape Architecture, and graduated in 2011.
Conor joined NBRSARCHITECTURE in 2016 bringing with
him a wealth of experience in master planning, land and
residential subdivisions, playground design, and vegetation
management plans as well as visual impact assessments.
Conor has sound experience with project management,
contract management and local government consultation
and liaison.
Prior to joining NBRS, Conor gained valuable experience
within with a well-established Landscape Architecture firm
based in Newcastle, New South Wales. During this time,
Conor was involved in all facets of the practice, involving
him in the management of projects and staff, from concept
to design development, construction documentation, site
inspections and reporting.
Conor has strength in developing and maintaining client
relationships, of which has seen him gain repeat business
over many years.
As an integral member of the NBRS team, Conor is
responsible for leading and managing projects, and ensuring
the successful integration of external consultants.
By seeking excellence in his work, Conor delivers projects
with precision and attention to detail that exceed client
expectations. Conor is passionate about Landscape
Architecture within the urban and natural environment and
prides himself in creating site sensitive places of practicality
with aspects artistic flair.

Landscape Architecture is the opportunity
to create timeless design solutions
that work in harmony with the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
surrounding environment and add vibrancy
to the outside world.
Annabel graduated from the University of New South Wales
with a Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture in 2014.
Prior to joining NBRSARCHITECTURE in 2016, Annabel
worked for a residential Landscape Design Company as
a Junior Landscape Architect designing outdoor spaces
that varied from sophisticated inner-city gardens to rural
country estates. During this time, she was involved in
all facets of the company working one-on-one with the
director and brought projects through all stages including
Concept Design, Construction Documentation, Council
Documentation and Site Inspections.
Annabel has hands-on experience working at numerous
garden nurseries across New South Wales where she gained
extensive knowledge of plant species. This knowledge has
enabled her to use cohesive and relevant planting palettes in
her designs.
Annabel is passionate about nature and Landscape
Architecture which is combined with her high level ability
to interpret and deliver the Clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision. Annabel is able
to develop design solutions synonymous with quality,
innovation and practicality.